Airbus Filton has cut production activity at its wing plant for the next three weeks as coronavirus spreads around the world.
The aerospace giant says workforce numbers are being reduced on the site as the company reviews its production flow and adapts to different ways of working.
The wife of a factory worker at the site, who said her husband suffers with asthma, contacted Bristol Live on Tuesday (March 24), claiming it was difficult for him to be two metres apart on the factory floor - and it was causing them both “worry”.
She claimed Airbus had told her husband if he did not go to work he would have to take the time as holiday or make it up at a later date.
Bristol Live contacted the aerospace manufacturer, which said it is following the World Health Organisation's one-metre guidelines, but admitted the government's two-metre social distancing rule cannot always be applied. Airbus did not respond to the question about holiday.
A spokesperson said last night: “In both Filton and Broughton, distances as great as possible are being applied to ways of working, one metre always being the absolute minimum.
“In some cases this is resulting in steps such as certain desks being classified as out of use so distances can be respected.
“In addition, process confirmation assessment checklists are being adapted to reinforce the point that two metres where possible should be targeted.
“In cases where two metres cannot be applied, appropriate PPE is being issued to individuals.”
Airbus has since announced this morning (March 26) it is cutting production at its Filton site and is extending the Easter holiday.
The sites will remain open, according to Airbus, to ensure wing deliveries to the final assembly lines, the receipt and control of materials from the supply chain, building and installation maintenance, critical administrative support and preparation for activity restart.
Airbus says employees will continue to perform activities remotely via home-working where their activities are not directly related to the production activity being adapted.
The news follows a statement on Tuesday which said Airbus would not be closing following the UK's Covid-19 lockdown.
The company says it is “continuing to evaluate” its production flow.
It added: “Airbus is maintaining business continuity across its global industrial stream. As a leading industrial company, Airbus needs to continue its activities to support the global crisis efforts, support customers, suppliers and the global economy.”
